Anthera pharma - What More After VISTA-16 Failure?
Discontinuation of VISTA-16 due to lack of efficacy is a big blow for Anthera Pharma (ANTH); though the PhII data of its key drug Varespladib (formerly A-002, PhIII, Acute Coronary Syndrome-ACS, unpartnered) vs. competitor GSK/HGSI’s Darapladib (lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 inhibitor, Lp-PLA2) was promising. ANTH announced positive interim data from its PhIIb trial – PEARL-SC of Blisibimod (formerly A-623, SC PhIIb, Lupus, a selective peptibody antagonist of BLyS/BAFF), showing statistically significant reduction of B-cells with its monthly and weekly SC dosing however, under the current competitive scenario, the advantages of Blisibimod vs. Benlysta are not very compelling dimming its chances of partnership or commercial potential.
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Anthera pharma
Anthera pharma